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Johannesburg - The 2009 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tours for men and women get underway in Queensland, Australia, next weekend with the staging of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast events respectively.
The opening events will be held at the renowned surf break of Snapper Rocks from February 28 through March 11, with the Quiksilver Trials and Roxy Trials to determine the wildcards taking place on February 27.
The four South Africans who qualified for the 2009 World Tours are all ready to start the year on a high note. Current ASP No. 24 Jordy Smith, 21, is already on the Gold Coast while fellow Durbanite Dave Weare, 28, departed yesterday (Wednesday) for his second season at the highest level following his injury plagued rookie campaign in 2007.
Seasoned campaigner Greg Emslie (32) from East London, leaves on Monday to start his ninth season and is feeling confident that his experience, fitness and equipment will stand him in good stead to better his previous best ASP World Tour finish of 19th.
"I'm feeling refreshed and have been doing lots of experimenting with surfboard design and fins. My boards are going really fast and my surfing is feeling good so I'm excited to get the season started,' Emslie commented.
"You've got to walk the walk and not talk the talk, but I've usually got my best results in the right-handers and most of the events at right-handers this year. My objectives are to improve my consistency, better my previous best of 19th and break into the top 10 in 2009."
Rosanne Hodge returns for her third consecutive year as South Africa's only woman on the ASP World Tour, having ended 2008 ranked No. 12 and re-qualifying via her excellent third place finish on the WQS. Hailing from East London, Hodge has honed her stylish competitive surfing in right-hand pointbreaks so will be looking to capitalise in the opening event of the season.
The 21 year-old faces a tough baptism of fire in 2009, facing Steph Gilmore (AUS), the reigning ASP World Champion, and the winner of the Roxy Trials in her opening heat.
The opening events will be held at the renowned surf break of Snapper Rocks from February 28 through March 11, with the Quiksilver Trials and Roxy Trials to determine the wildcards taking place on February 27.
The four South Africans who qualified for the 2009 World Tours are all ready to start the year on a high note. Current ASP No. 24 Jordy Smith, 21, is already on the Gold Coast while fellow Durbanite Dave Weare, 28, departed yesterday (Wednesday) for his second season at the highest level following his injury plagued rookie campaign in 2007.
Seasoned campaigner Greg Emslie (32) from East London, leaves on Monday to start his ninth season and is feeling confident that his experience, fitness and equipment will stand him in good stead to better his previous best ASP World Tour finish of 19th.
"I'm feeling refreshed and have been doing lots of experimenting with surfboard design and fins. My boards are going really fast and my surfing is feeling good so I'm excited to get the season started,' Emslie commented.
"You've got to walk the walk and not talk the talk, but I've usually got my best results in the right-handers and most of the events at right-handers this year. My objectives are to improve my consistency, better my previous best of 19th and break into the top 10 in 2009."
Rosanne Hodge returns for her third consecutive year as South Africa's only woman on the ASP World Tour, having ended 2008 ranked No. 12 and re-qualifying via her excellent third place finish on the WQS. Hailing from East London, Hodge has honed her stylish competitive surfing in right-hand pointbreaks so will be looking to capitalise in the opening event of the season.
The 21 year-old faces a tough baptism of fire in 2009, facing Steph Gilmore (AUS), the reigning ASP World Champion, and the winner of the Roxy Trials in her opening heat.
